HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert Torres received the Philippine Judges Association President’s Award for “exceptional contributions to the advancement of judicial officers and the evolution of jurisprudential trends, both within the Philippines and on the global stage.”
Torres, according to a press release issued by the Judiciary of Guam, recently led a delegation of legal professionals to visit the Supreme Court of the Philippines and Malacañang Palace.
“The visit aimed to enhance ties, strengthen collaboration and reinforce the rule of law in both jurisdictions,” the release stated.
Additionally, Torres led the delegation as the first recipient of the Philippine Judges Association President’s Award.
“Chief Justice Torres has been instrumental in advancing the accessibility and efficiency of court services across Guam, introducing innovative features like wireless technology and videoconferencing in courtrooms and championing the implementation of e-filing and expanded island services,” the Supreme Court of the Philippines stated in a press release announcing Torres being the award recipient.
“He has been an invaluable resource in assisting with the Philippine Supreme Court’s initiatives to institute judicial reforms using technology,” the Supreme Court of the Philippines added in the release.
Along with Torres, the island delegation included Guam Bar Association President Jacqueline Terlaje, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association President Anna Mercado Clark and National Bar Association President Dominique Calhoun. According to the Judiciary, Clark and Calhoun had been invited to Guam to attend the GBA’s annual meeting and serve as judges during the Guam High School Mock Trial finals.
The delegation had meetings with Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Associate Justice Midas Marquez and executive secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin at Malacañan Place. In the meetings, Torres emphasized the “importance of sharing best practices and modernizing to enhance the delivery of justice in both the Philippines and U.S. jurisdictions,” the Judiciary’s release stated.
Torres extended his gratitude to the Philippine leadership for their efforts to meet the challenges that come with the evolving legal landscape.
“As the legal landscape continues to evolve, discussing the latest developments in our jurisdictions ensures that we are prepared to meet these challenges and deliver efficient justice to our people,” Torres stated in the release.
“I extend my gratitude to Chief Justice Gesmundo, Justice Marquez and Executive Secretary Bersamin for their hospitality, and I am hopeful that our shared efforts will help improve justice for the people of Guam and the Philippines,” Torres added.
Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert Torres, third from left, received an award from the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
